Searching for wellness
September - November 2026
Explore what it means to live well in an increasingly complex world, where our ability to rest, connect and heal is being reshaped by economic pressure, global change and digital life.
From September to November 2026, 'Searching for wellness' will convene leading researchers, practitioners and creators to examine how ideas of living well – and who gets access to them – have changed across history and cultures, drawing on the latest research from the humanities and social sciences.
From music, community, creativity and spirituality to the political and social systems that underpin our lives, this season explores the diverse and evolving ways wellbeing has been understood and supported, and how we might reclaim balance today.
20 Sep 2026 - London
Open House 2026
Step inside the British Academy’s historic Grade-I listed home for Open House Festival 2026. Discover the building’s Nash-designed architecture, its rich history, and art collection. Be among the first to experience our free exhibition, exploring wellbeing in the workplace through film, photography, and installation.
8 Oct 2026 - London
Searching for wellness LATE
Join us for a vibrant evening of conversations, performances, workshops, and exhibits exploring wellness in all its complexity, drawing on the latest research in the humanities and social sciences. From the history of happiness to the healing power of dancefloors, discover new perspectives on living – and feeling – well.
13 Oct 2026 - London
The secret life of sewers
From the Big Stink to the fatberg, London's history has always flowed through what (and how) we flush away. Sewers are one of the most transformational, yet least recognised interventions in the history of public health. Join Professor Rosemary Ashton FBA, Dr Paul Dobraszczyk, and Professor Peter Hammond as they …
20 Oct 2026 - London
Unheard, untreated, unwell: women's health in crisis
Why does healthcare so often fail women, and why have we accepted it for so long? Discuss the politics of women's health with British Academy Book Prize- shortlisted authors Professor Sophie Harman and Dr Annabel Sowemimo. Who gets to be believed, who receives care, and whose pain is dismissed?
3 Nov 2026 - London
Art Club: how creativity keeps us well
Discover how engaging with art can boost health and happiness with world-leading expert Professor Daisy Fancourt and then explore your own creativity in a colourful collaging workshop with artist Beth Suzanna. What would your personal ‘arts prescription’ look like?
12 Nov 2026 - London
Why music moves us
Music shapes how we feel, connect, and remember. But why does it have this power? Discover how music affects our brains, emotions, and mood, drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and creative practice. Take part in an immersive listening experience and explore how different environments transform your response to music.
19 Nov 2026 - London
What makes a good life? The debate
What does it mean to live well in our ever more complex world? From fulfilment and happiness to belonging, spirituality, and community, join a debate with leading researchers from philosophy and theology, to decide what makes a good life.
26 Nov 2026 - London
Go with your gut
From fermented foods to fibre counts, conversations about gut health are everywhere. But our obsession with the gut is not new. Throughout history, people have linked this mysterious organ to feelings, thoughts, actions, and identities. Delve into the connections between the gut and wellbeing from an unexpected angle with our …
